Rolex, Patek Philippe, Movado, TAG Heuer, Montres, Omega ripoff, low quality products for Swiss watches, look at these problems! poor quality scams New York New York

Have a look at the serious problems people have reported with their watches below. Some super high-end brands have had some serious problems and have horrible customer service. Take a look and learn something.

Here are the results of the Watch Quality Survey answering this question:

SURVEY QUESTION
"Looking to determine the % of new watches that have a problem during the first year. List all the watches you have purchased (by make and model) and any problem or, equally important, indicate if there is no problem. Do not report accuracey errors if they are within +10s, -4s per day. If we get enough responses I will tabulate the results and post a summary by make. "

RESULTS
We received 55 responses representing ownership of 336 watches over a three day period (March 9-12, 2001). The results of this survey is not at all scientific, particularly for the smaller sample sizes. Also, a large majority of the defects were cosmetic or watch accuracy. Rather than draw any conclusions I will leave it to you to do so and post your comments. Following the table is the actual submitted information so you can read the particulars and draw your own conclusions. By the way, the most popular brand among the participants is Omega. Others are miscellaneous brands in which their sample size was typically 1-3.

TABLE OF RESULTS

The table below (which can't be aligned using this software, has 3 figures, the total number of watches of the brand, the number of those watches reported with no problems, and the % of the watches reported with problems of any degree, even minor ones)

brand (# watches - no problems - % probs),
others (78 - 59 - 0.24),
omega (43 - 32 - 0.26),
iwc (29 - 26 - 0.10),
jlc (23 - 15 - 0.35),
rolex (22 - 18 - 0.18),
minerva (18 - 10 - 0.44),
breitling(15 - 10 - 0.33),
seiko (15 - 10 - 0.33),
invicta (12 - 7 - 0.42),
patek (12 - 8 - 0.33),
blancpain(12 - 8 - 0.33),
zenith (11 - 8 - 0.27),
oris (7 - 5 - 0.29),
un (7 - 5 - 0.29),
GP (7 - 6 - 0.14),
hamilton(6 - 5 - 0.17),
fortis (5 - 2 - 0.60),
panerai (5 - 3 - 0.40),
ap (5 - 5 - 0.00),
limes (4 - 4 - 0.00),

(total 336 246 0.27)

Submitted Data:

55 participants

OMEGA 43 watches / 32 no problems
Omega Seamaster Professional America's Cup - No Problems
Omega Seamaster Ladies 120 - No Problems
Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 - No Problems
Omega Speedmaster Professional w/Display Back - No Problems
Omega SMP #2054.50 Perfect
Omega GMT on strap Perfect
Omega SMP - No Problems
Omega Speedmaster - Auto winding problem - fixed by Omega
Omega Speedmaster Racing LE - no problem
Omega Seamaster: (quartz) Ate three batteries in 11 months. Sent to Omega and was fixed (just barely) under warranty. No further problems.
Omega Speedmaster: No problems.
Omega Speedmaster Automatic (7751) - intermittant, then rather more mittant, and finally complete, stopping. Omega's NY service center sent it back to me running, but with a scratch on the hour hand and the hour register hand misaligned.
Omega Seamaster Pro Chrono - chronograph function became faulty, refunded
Omega SMP Chrono NP
Omega Seamaster Pro: no problems
Omega Dynamic Chrono: no problems
Omega SMP Chrono: Manual winding led to feel of grinding and resistance, fixed under warranty.
Omega Ladies Constellation, mini size, half bar (quartz) - no problem
Omega Speedmaster Professional (bought in 1992): Straight out of the box, improper resetting of chrono minute accumulator, effectively causing it to restart at 00:01:00 instead of 00:00:00. Common problem with this watch, it seems. It was easily corrected by a watchmaker who was familiar with the problem.
Omega Speedmaster Professional, no problems (purchased new two years ago)
Omega Seamaster "Bond" sent back because the crown wasn't screwing down
Omega Seamaster Multifunction - During the last three years sent back to Omega twice to fix/replace digital module (each time covered by warranty) - no problems in last 10 months
Omega Schumacher (aka Crayola) Speedy Auto - no problems in 6 months
Omega Constellation (ladies) -- no problems
Omega SMP Auto NP
Omega Dynamic Chrono: Spring jumped out of position
Omega Speedmaster Reduced: No problems
Omega Seamaster -- dust on dial, stopped, clasp failed
Omega Seamaster Pro No Problem
Omega Seamaster Pro Chronograph No Problem
Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch No Problem
Omega Triple Date No Problem

Omega Speedmaster Professional: No problems
Omega X-33 - NP
Omega Seamaster NP
Omega Seamaster Professional Chronograph ETA7750 :
As chronograph function of ETA7750 had broken down 3 times , I sent it to SWATCH Group Japan 3 times .
Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph Lemania861 :No problem
Omega Speedmaster Automatic ETA2894-2 :No problem
Omega Speedmaster Automatic MARK40 ETA7761:No problem
Omega smp mid qtz np
Omega smp gmt np
Omega Constell.: No probs
Omega Seamaster Pro (Titanium)- no problems.

ROLEX 22 watches / 18 no problem
I had a problem with a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, steel & gold, no date, which I bought new from an authorized dealer. When I got home and tried to set the time, I was left with the crown in my hand. The watch was replaced with a new one.
Rolex Submariner - no problem
Rolex Oyster Date - No problems
Rolex Date: Lost up to 5 minutes per day! Sent to Rolex three times.
Rolex datejust (women's size - for wife): Slowing 12-15 sec/day
Rolex GMT master II : No problems
Rolex GMT II - NP
Rolex Explorer II - NP
Rolex Sub "P" serial np
Rolex Explorer I - no problems
Rolex OP Date - no problems
Rolex Datejust - No problems, sold watch anyway
rolex sub np - sold to help pay for HD
rolex sub ss / 18k np- sold to get wife diamond ring
rolex date just np
Rolex GMT II - No problems
Rolex Yachtmaster - defective stem seal. Repaired. Bracelet poor, on new strap now. Runs perfectly.
Rolex Submarine DATE :No problem .
Rolex Submariner No Problem
Rolex Explorer I - no problems
Rolex OP Date - no problems
Rolex Submariner: No problems

IWC - 29 watches / 26 no problems

All IWC's fine (5)
IWC Flieger mecaquartz - no problems
IWC Ingenieur 3521 - no problems
IWC Flieger - no problem
IWC UTC - no problem
IWC Portuguese Chrono - No problems
IWC Fleigerchrono - no problems
IWC UTC NP
IWC UTC np
Iwc flieger np
Iwc utc np
IWC Flieger - no problem
:IWC UTC - no problem
IWC Fleigerchrono--Poor dial printing/dust; imperfect reset to zero
IWC Flieger No Problem
IWC Fliegerchrono: Stem gasket failure. Returned to IWC for replacement under warranty, no problems since. (two years +)
IWC MK XII: No Problems
IWC Portugueser Automatic Chronograph - no problem
IWC Ingenieur: No problems
IWC Flieger mecaquartz - no problems
IWC Aquatimer: Link problem, fixed under warranty.
IWC Ingenieur 3521 - no problems
IWC Portuguese Chrono np
IWC Inge: Insecure closing on bracelet clasp; touched up at IWC, no probs since.
IWC Portu. Rattrapante: No problems

PATEK - 12 watches / 8 no problems
A Patek Philippe 5035 bought new from an authorized dealer, was running almost a minute fast a day. Im waiting for it to return from Switzerland. Ive waited almost four months now.
Patek 5035- no problem
Patek 5036 no problem (stays fully wound with ordinary left arm mvts.)
Patek 3802 no problem (stays fully wound with ordinary left arm mvts.)
Patek 5035 - no problems (had 3 years)
Patek Ladies moonphase 4857: no problem
Patek Calatrava (I): Winding stem falls off while attempting to adjust time. Repaired by independent watchmaker, no problems since.
Patek Calatrava (II): Poor quality control on original dial. Returned to H. Stern for replacement. Returned perfect.
Patek 5035 - NP
Patek Aquanaut - low reserve; fixed in one week
Patek 5035 np

I had many months of problems getting a new Patek 5035 regulated properly.
It has to be sent to Patek NYC three times and finally they got it right.
It was a long struggle to get this watch the way it should have been in the
first place.

JLC - 23 watches / 15 no problems
JLC Master moon - gaining 2minutes a day
JLC Reveil- discolouration of dial
JLC Master Moon - Erratic Winding kept stopping - refunded 3 weeks
JLC Reverso Duo NP
JLC Master Lady: sent back for dust on dial, then no problem
JLC Reverso Duetto: no problem
JLC Reverso Duo - no problems in 3 months
JLC Master Reveil: No problems
JLC Master Date: No problems
JLC RDM - mainspring defect, repaired under warranty, loose piece of rubber in movement (charged for pressure check even though watch under warranty?!)
JLC RendezVous (ladies) - no problems
JLC Reveil No Problem
JLC Ultrathin - NP
JLC Geographic - second hand pauses and skips
JLC Reverso Duo NP
JLC Geographic np
JLC Sun/ Moon np
JLC Reverso Duo rose gold np
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gran'sport - no problem
JLC GTaille: No probs.
Jaeger Le Coultre Master Moon - date hand not quite aligned properly.
JLC Mecaquartz Chrono no problem
JLC Reverso Date (hand wound) runs more than 10 seconds fast per day

BLANCPAIN - 12 watches / 8 no problems
Blancpain Moon Phase Half Hunter - just 1 month old and still no problem
Blancpain FF fine
Blancpain Ladies Flyback 2385: no problem
Blancpain Aqualung - NP
Blancpain Flyback -- no problem
BP 1106 - grossly irregular running; replacement had no problems
Blancpain 50F stoppage
Blancpain 50F Deployant lock broke
Blancpain GMT stoppage
Blancpain 2100 Mil Moon - no problems
BP2100 Moonphase - no problems (had 6 months)
BP AL: No probs. (though finish on sec. hands not "perfect")

MINERVA - 18 watches / 10 no problem
Minerva Palladio DT - no problems
Minerva Palladio 24Hr - sent back for adjustment when it showed irregular rate
Minerva Pythagore II: No problem
Minerva Heritage, no problems (purchased new two years ago)
Minerva Palladio "S", no problems (purchased new one year ago)
Minerva Pythagore, no problems (purchased new two years ago)
Minerva Pythagore - scratched hands, scratched dial, repaired under warranty AOK, 10 months old.
Minerva Palladio "S" - no problems
Minerva Pythagore - no problems
Minerva Europeo - no problems
Minerva Rose Gold Cal 49 - no problems
Minerva pythagore-no problems
Minerva Anniversary - dial defective and replaced, spring failed and replaced
Minerva Palladio GMT - gear failed and replaced
Minerva Cal 49 waves in case finish. fiixed
Minerva Pythagore Ann. - became 3 min slow/day, damaged keyless works, in service
Minerva Pythagore I - runs down in 7 hours, can barely keep time within 10 minutes/day, repaired 3 times in last 6 months with no joy.
Minerva Pythagore I (black dial) np

GP - 7 watches / 6 no problems
A Girard Perregaux chrono GP4900 which only runs for a few hours after I take it off my wrist. I bought it in the Caribbean, now I dont know how to get it fixed.
All my GPs fine (6)

ORIS - 7 watches / 5 no problems
Oris Classic Sport / Diver - no problem
Oris Jules Verne World Timer no problem but tends to run > 5 secs. slow per day
Oris BC3 - no problems
Oris BC3 (40mm) -- no problem
Oris Classic XXL NP
Oris Big Crown (ladies) - no problems
Oris Big Crown :Crown had rusted

ZENITH - 11 watches / 8 no problems
Zenith El Primero No Problem
Zenith Class 4 El Primero: Loose steel bracelet link pins, sorted under warranty, but this problem has been common to my three Zenith purchases so far.
Zenith Chronomaster Moonphase NP
Zenith Port Royal Chrono - thought I had a problem but it went away, so no problems - (had 8 months)
Zenith Chronomaster Triple calendar - very intermittant failure to advance calendar(s) - haven't sent it in yet; it still has over 3 years left on the warranty.
Zenith Class 4 El Primero- no problem
Zenith Class El Primero no problem
Zenith Class 4 - no problems
Zenith Elite DT - dust under dial
Zenith Port Royal El Primero-No problems
Zenith Chronomaster-no problems

BREITLING - 15 watches / 10 no problems
Breitling Superocean - No problems
Breitling Blackbird - No problems
Breitling Aerospace - lug fell off, bracelet spring fatigued
Breitling Navitimer 92-no problems
Breitling Chronomat 98--calendar failed; rider tab fell off
Breitling Aerospace-no problen
Breitling Montbrilliant-dust on dial
Breitling B2 - No problems, but the most uncomfortable watch I've ever worn; returned to dealer for refund.
Breitling Callistino -- no problems
Breitling Antares World -- bezel rider tab slightly loose
Breitling SuperOcean Professional-no problem
Breitling SuperO Pro NP
Breitling Old Navitimer - No problems
Breitling Chrono Colt Automatic - chrono hours not aligned to markers on subdial, chrono hours sometimes continue to run after stopping chrono. Not sent for repair yet, keeps excellent time.
Breitling Montbrilliant Eclipse - no problem.

SEIKO - 15 watches / 10 no problems
Seiko 200m diver: No problem
Seiko Diver's 200m - no problems, but running about +20s / day.
Seiko Diver 200m Automatic - no problems (except the white day and date rings)
Seiko 5 - No problems
Sieko Kinetic auto relay no problem
Seaiko automatic 26 jewel,weekdater no problem
Seiko Auto Diver 200: no problems
Grand Seiko: No probs
Seiko S-Wave - runnning +28secs (all my Seikos seem to be ridiculously fast when new - is it just me?) self regulated to +3secs, 20 months old.

Another S-Wave (at +25)was regulated under warranty to -1 secs by Seiko UK - top quality service - , 3 years old.
Grand Seiko quartz - no problems
Seiko Diver 200m Pro - No problems
Seiko Kinetic - Started making REAL grinding noises - refunded 4 weeks
Grand Seiko quartz - no problems
Seiko Alpinist - running +23secs, self regulated to +2, 3 months old.

PANERAI - 5 watches / 3 no problems
Panerai GMT - NP
Paneria Luminor Power Reserve - No problems
Panerai Luminor GMT - No problems in 18 months.
Panerai Luminor Power Reserve no problem although it also may not stay fully wound with ordinary left arm mvts. (you would think the heft of this watch would keep the rotor spinning).
Panerai-would require full wind to get the movement to "start" if it had been sitting around in my safe for a few weeks

AP - 5 watches / 5 no problems
All AP's fine (3)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak np
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chrono np

Invicta - 12 watches / 7 no problems
Invicta-8114......no problem
Invicta 8926: went from -4 / day to -40 / day during 1st six months
Invicta 8926 np
Invicta 8926 "Sub" - "sluggish" second hand, but still keeps acceptable accuracy.
Invicta 8926 - misaligned dial - long gone and not missed!
Invicta Sub: No problems.
Invicta 8926 no problems.
Invicta 8926 - no problem
Invicta - not worth wearing
Invicta Sub--no problems
Invicta 8236 (automatic, not the "sub") - crown threads stripped, still awaiting new crown
Invicta 8926 sent back to Ashford,to
align Bezel,and fix,sticking second hand,at 23 minutes on the dial...Fixed, in
6 days! But fixed by Sean McNamara,of course!

HAMILTON - 6 watches / 5 no problems
Hamilton Khaki chrono I just sent it for warranty service, the chrono second hand was going from a hard ticking to running smooth.
Hamilton Khaki Chrono - No Problems
Hamilton Atlantis II - No Hamilton Khaki Auto-no problem
Hamilton day date Chrono: No problem problems
Hamilton Viewmatic-no problems
Hamilton Khaki Manual - NP

UN - 7 watches / 5 no problems
Ulysse Nardin 1846 np
UN 1846 01 -- dust / metal on dial
Un 1846 99 -- no problems
UN1846 - no problems (had 2 yrs)
UN 1846 LE fine
UN 1846: Was -6sec / day out of box; +0.5sec / day after regulation.
UN GMT Perp: No probs

LIMES - 4 watches / 4 no problems
Limes Chyro chrono, no problem
Limes nighflight-no problems
Limes Outback NP
Limes Nightflight 1 - No problems, 15 mths old

FORTIS - 5 watches / 2 no problems
Fortis No Problems! cosmonaut,and flieger
Fortis Pilots Auto - Just bought
Fortis Pilot Auto: After 1 year, began stopping at random, unpredictable times. 2 local watchmakers couldn't correct or even identify the problem. Helvetia Time, Fortis' distributor, corrected it -- at no charge. Watch still runs perfectly 5 years later.
Fortis Cosmo Diver's -- scratch between lugs, +6 to +15 sec. / day when worn, +16 to +27 sec. / day sitting in safe

OTHER - 78 watches / 59 no problem
Lange Saxonia - minor imperfection on dial; fixed
Franck Muller 5850 casablanca np
Breguet XX: Back to shop 3x, still problems.
FM MasterB: No probs.

Ebel 1911 Modulor Chrono - Erratic Winding - replaced 1 week
Ebel 1911 Modulor Chrono - Stopped Winding rotor disconnected! - refunded 2 weeks
Schwarz Etienne Flight Controller - extra "glue" between crystal and case back, easily removed with knife.
Fortis Cosmonaute Chrono - crown thread stripped - fixed by Fortis
Poljot 3133 - chrono pushers came loose - back from repair in Russia, working great
Swatch Automatic - no problems
Swatch Auto Irony Skeleton (Body and Soul) np

Glycine Combat - no problems
Glycine KMU-46 - ran fast 20 sec / day

Rado - No problems, sold watch
TAG S/eL Chronograph quartz - "loose" bracelet, sold watch.
GO Senator Navigator - no problem.

RGM Chrono -- no problem

Davosa Skeleton - No problems
Wenger "officer" watch - No problems
Princeton Chronograph (purchased New Old Stock) - No problems, crystal scratches easily, though.

Bell & Ross Vintage 126 - No problems in two years.
bell&Ross vintage 123 speck of tritium on edge of dial

Tutima FX UTC Auto - no problems in 1 year
Ventura Ego (large) -- no problem
Tissot Ballade auto (ladies) -- crown popped off, but occured outside of first year of ownership

DJR Bressel Chrono - After only five or six wearings, crown would not pull out to set time; warranty repair took more than a month..
Citizen Tough Ti Ecodrive - utterly perfect, 13 months old.

Kobold Endurance A - NP
Kobold Pro B - very poor finish, including crown that did not seat properly on side of case; also marked "waterproof" on back
Glycine KMU-46 - ran fast 20 sec/day

Movado 1881: No problems
Movado ss 1881 auto (ladies) -- no problems
Movado Esperanza (quartz) no problems in 5 years (not even a battery change!)

Jean Marcel - -20sec. / day
Incursore,have owned 4! No Problems!
Baume&Mercier Malibu Chrono: Bracelet falling apart
Heuer Monaco re-edition: No problems
Tudor Prince Date Submariner: Marker position 0 on bezel fell out
Nomos Tangente: No problems
Paul picot regulatuer- seconds indicator loose

All D&S fine (3)
D&S Aerodyn Duo np

Chopards fine (4)
ikepod fine
piaget fine
Tag 4000 Series - NP
Rado Diamaster - NP
Silberstein Bodoni - NP
Chopard Mille Miglia NP
DJR Military - no problems
Krieger automatic - crown threading defect, crown replaced under warranty
Hebdomas 8 Days Ascot - no problems
RT Airspeed-no problems
Epos Moonphase-no problem
Hubot Elegant - no problem
Cartier Santos- no problem
Waldan triple date moonphase chrono: No problem
Poljot Chrono: No problem
Tag Heuer Link Auto - no problem
Revue Thommen Jump Hour - no problem
Longines Conquest Las Vegas L.990 automatic, Conqest quartz L.161, Gold plateed Automatic, all of them no problem
Bulova King no problem
Raymond Weil no problem
Wenger black dial no problem
Mido ocean star datoday, quartz no problem
EPOS Rectangle Jump Hour - no problems
LifeStyle Titan - German made 25J ETA 2824-2 in Titanium - no problems
Muhle Glashutte Traveler w/ power reserve - will only stay Paul Picot Firshire power reserve COSC certified chronometer a joke because it runs 15 to 20 seconds fast per day and has from the day one.

Maurice Lacroix Croneo -- dust on dial
Maurice Lacroix Calendrier Retrograde - no problem

Tutima Nato - no problems

Bob
Denver, Colorado
U.S.A.